Social Work and Human Rights

Contents: Preface. 1. Human rights and radical social change. 2. Human rights and social work. 3. Concept of social and human rights. 4. Extreme poverty as a violation of human rights. 5. Human rights: economic, social and cultural rights. 6. Children rights and social work. 7. Contemporary social work and human rights. 8. Universal declaration of human rights. 9. International covenant on economic, social and cultural rights. 10. Social work education and human rights. 11. Global practice of social workers and human rights framework. 12. Human rights protection in public function and private services. Bibliography. Index.

As a social concept, our notions of human rights are tied to the kind of society we want (the good society) and the way people within that society would live (the good life). As a philosophical and moral concept, human rights are about what it means to be human and the requisite requirements to live a life worthy of a human being. These same ideals distinguish social work as a helping profession that is rounded in a vision of a just society and the values associated with that society. Human rights imply a belief in something common to all people that by virtue of one’s humanity, certain entitlements and claims may be identified. For social workers, this egalitarian ideal and moral warrant can be powerful forces for social change. This book is an overview of human rights ideas and laws for social workers that stresses the importance of human rights in all types of social work policy and practice.